World number nine Rory McIlroy will not join the US PGA Tour next year and will instead return to the European circuit.

The 21-year-old Northern Irishman opted to take out a full US PGA Tour card 12 months ago and clinched his first victory in the States with a closing 62 at the Quail Hollow Championship in May. But McIlroy, who has finished third in the last two majors, missed home and has decided to focus predominantly on Europe next year.

Quoted in several newspapers, he said: "I switched on the Golf Channel one morning when I was in the States and began watching the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and thinking to myself 'I would rather be there instead'."

He added: "If you're not playing well in the States it can be a lonely place. But if you're not playing well on the European Tour you still have plenty of mates to hang out with.

"Holly [girlfriend] also has another two years at university and we have two dogs, a nice house and I love my life back in Ireland. I don't ever want to give that up."

McIlroy made his mind up after speaking to new world number one Lee Westwood, and informed US Tour commissioner Tim Finchem in Shanghai on Sunday.

"The FedEx Cup is only about money and you shouldn't just be going over to play thinking about how much you can make," said McIlroy.

"I needed a break after the US PGA [in August], but had only one week.

"There is no flexibility in your schedule as the FedEx forces you to appear at those events. I didn't like that."